Wearable Subpulse Detection Using Cardiac and Pulse Wave Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting patient pulses, particularly subpulses, are inaccurate, subjective, and burdensome, leading to inappropriate medical decisions and potential patient harm, especially in critically ill patients.
Innovation Solution
A patient-wearable device with sensors and electronics, including a flexible printed circuit board, adhesive layer, and microcontroller, capable of detecting pulse conditions through multiple sensor types and processing data to provide accurate pulse detection, even for subpulses, using LED indicators or external communication for real-time feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual pulse palpation is used, then the method is simple and requires no special equipment, but the detection accuracy is low and results are subjective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pulse palpation with electronic sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) that objectively detect pulse signals. The wearable device uses motion sensors to capture subtle body movements associated with pulses, transforming a subjective mechanical assessment into an objective electronic measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wearable device with motion sensors as an intermediary between the patient's body and the medical practitioner. The sensors detect subtle movements caused by pulses and transmit this data to a processor that analyzes and interprets the signals, providing an objective assessment that bridges the gap between simple manual checks and complex medical equipment.
2Productivity
If optical sensors are used for pulse detection, then real-time monitoring is possible, but the sensors fail with decreased pulse strength and non-perfusion rhythms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical sensors with mechanical motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) that detect body movements associated with pulses. These sensors are not affected by pulse strength or perfusion status, providing reliable detection across all conditions including subpulses where optical sensors fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical absorption (which fails with low perfusion) to mechanical motion detection. The motion sensors capture subtle accelerations and movements caused by pulse waves, providing a different physical basis for detection that remains effective even when pulse strength is decreased or perfusion is absent.
3Measurement precision
If point of care ultrasound is used, then pulse detection accuracy increases, but it requires dedicated skilled practitioners and appropriate equipment availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pulse detection function from complex ultrasound equipment and skilled practitioner dependency, creating a standalone wearable device with embedded motion sensors. This portable device performs pulse detection autonomously without requiring ultrasound machines or specialized training, making accurate pulse detection accessible in any setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the pulse detection capability that replicates the accuracy of ultrasound without its complexity. The wearable device uses motion sensors to capture and analyze pulse-related movements, providing ultrasound-level accuracy through a much simpler, more accessible platform that can be used by any trained personnel.
4Loss of time
If manual pulse palpation is performed quickly, then time to decision is reduced, but accuracy decreases leading to incorrect treatment decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous pulse monitoring through the wearable device, which constantly captures motion data and analyzes pulse presence in real-time. This continuous assessment eliminates the need for repeated manual checks, providing uninterrupted pulse information that maintains high accuracy while reducing the time practitioners spend performing sequential assessments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements immediate feedback through the wearable device, which continuously analyzes motion sensor data and provides real-time pulse status information. This instant feedback allows practitioners to make rapid, accurate treatment decisions without the delay and inaccuracy associated with repeated manual palpation attempts.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining and indicating whether a patient is or is not exhibiting pulseless electrical activity (PEA) includes a first patient-wearable device attachable to a first body location and operable to generate cardiac signal data, a second patient-wearable device attachable to a second body location and operable to use one or more of an inertial motion sensor or an acoustic sensor thereof to generate pulse wave data, and a processing unit that is configured to receive the cardiac signal data and the pulse wave data, process the cardiac signal data to identify one or more cardiac waveforms thereof, process the pulse wave data to determine whether the pulse wave data includes one or more pulse waveforms that respectively correspond to the identified one or more cardiac waveforms, and selectively generate one of an indication of pseudo-PEA or an indication of PEA in response to at least the determination.